Cosmetic storing and dispensing device



De. 19, 1967 R. G, BAU 3,358,699

COSMETC STORING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Fled Oct. 5, 1962 maxima! nal" j".,U 132 INVENTOR y @085er @alena/V540 ,www pg@ (Z/c/Z' I United StatesPatent O 3,358,699 COSME'IIC STORING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Robert GordonBau, 3271 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood, Calif. 91604 Filed Oct.3, 1962, Ser. No. 228,199 8 Claims. (Cl. 132-79) This invention relatesgenerally to devices for storing and dispensing wax and oil basecosmetics, such as lipstick and the like, or other potted materials ofrelatively soft composition, and more particularly to an improved pomadedispensing device having unique means for supporting a replaceablecartridge and dispensing the pomade therefrom, and which permits the useof cartridges of minimum complexity and expense.

More specifically, this invention relates to improvements in refill-typecosmetic dispensers such as are disclosed and claimed in my copendingapplications Ser. No. 164,834, now Patent No. 3,256,980 filed Ian. 8,1962 and Ser. No. 191,927 now Patent No. 3,219,044 filed May 2, 1962,wherein an elongated pomade holder, or quill, is fitted onto an actuatorhousing, and in which an elongated screw member or actuator forming partof the quill extends into the housing for vuse in forcing the pomade outof the quill to the extent needed by the user.

Generally the screw member is threaded in the housing and is turned inone direction (e.g., clockwise) so as to move longitudinally and therebyextend the pomade with it. After the pomade supply is used up, the quillwith its screw member is removed and replaced with a refill. Althoughthese unique inventions operate as desired, I have found a need toprovide such a cosmetic dispenser which facilitates the use of evensimpler and less expensive rells, which reduces the manual operationsrequired by the user, and which minimizes the likelihood of waste ofpomade by the user. s

It is an object of my invention to provide a cosmetic storing anddispensing device with an actuator capable of repeated used, and whichaccommodates simple and inexpensive cosmetic refill cartridges.

It is another object of my invention to provide, for a refill-typedispenser for potted materials, refill cartridges ,of minimum complexityand cost.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cosmetic dispensingdevice embodying means for metering the cosmetic supply in preciselycontrolled amounts.

A-still further object of my invention is to provide an improvedcosmetic dispensing device having a minimum number of component parts ofsimple design and rugged construction.

The 'above and other objects and advantages of my invention will bebetter understood by reference to the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawings ofillustrative embodiments thereof, wherein: Y l

FIGURE l isa perspective view of an assembled refilltype pomadedispenser in accordance with my invention; y

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of FIGURE l,showing the structural cooperation between the cosmetic `supplycartridge and the dispensing mechanism, with the cartridge properlyinstalled upon the v main shell of the dispensing device;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of the main structuralcomponents of the reuseable portion of the dispensing mechanism;

FIGURE 3a is a longitudinal sectional view of an alternate embodiment ofthe spring element used in the dispensing mechanism of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2,showin-g the structure of the cartridge;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of FIGURE 2, andillustates the manner Aof'supporting and aligning the dispensing meanswithin the main shell;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of my refilltype dispenseradapted to support a cartridge that carries a pomade stick of circularcross section;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIGURE 6,showing the ridge in the quill to which the pomade conforms so as toprevent angular movement of the pomade stick;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of an alternate embodiment ofthe pomade holder of my invention, showing means wherein the pomadestick may be extended and retracted manually while a cartridge is inuse; and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the main parts of theembodiment of FIGURE 8 for permitting manual extend and retractoperations.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2thereof, there is shown a fully assembled rell-type cosmetic dispensingdevice 10 of my invention for dispensing lip pomade. The device 10 has agenerally cylindrical, fountain-pen-like appearance in its assembledstate and includes a rear main body 12 containing the main structuralcomponents of a reuseable dispensing mechanism, and a forward cartridgesection 14 containing a supply of lip pomade. Intermediate the main body12 and the cartridge section 14 is a knurled gap 16 which is rotatablewith respect to the main body, but fixed with respect to the cartridgesection. To dispense the cosmetic from the cartridge section 14, theknurled grip 16 is held stationary bythe fingers of one hand while themain body 12 is rotated by the other hand, as in the conventionalclockwise direction, thereby to cause the pomade to be extended out ofits holder.

A removable end :cap 18 is friction fitted over the cartridge section 14when the device 10 is not in use. This protects the exposed end of thepomade from damage by the elements, and also provides a sealed unitwhich can be carried about in a purse or pocket without danger that thelining of the purse or pocketwill be soiled by the pomade. The cap 18may be fabricated of any suitable structural material, such as metal,plastic or the like, and may be either opaque or transparent.Transparent caps have the added advantage, however, of facilitatingidentication of the potted material within the cartridge, as by color,texture or the like, without requiring removal of the end cap.

The internal structural details and manner of assembly and operation ofthe device 1t) will be described with reference to FIGURES 2-5. Thestructural elements ernployed may be fabricated of plastic, metal, orany combination thereof, depending upon which manufacturing techniquesand materials are most economical or desirable. Referring to FIGURES2-5, the main body 12 includes a hollow, generally cylindrical, outershell 20 for housing the dispensing mechanism. Since the shell 20contains the reuseable portion of the device 1l),` and is thereby apermanent structural element, its outer surface may be jeweled orotherwise expensively decorated to render the device attractive withoutin any way contributing to the cost of the refill cartridges.

A threaded rod or screw member 22 is coaxially supported within theshell 20 by means of a cylindrical sleeve 24. Preferably the sleeve 24is split along any convenient longitudinal plane, so that it is formedof a pair of complementary sleeve sections 25, 26. In assembling thedevice 10, the halves of the sleeve 24 are held together by the shell20. To this end, the sleeve 24 at one end has an enlarged diameterportion 24 formed of enlarged semicylindrical portions 25', 26 of thesleeve sections when they are in abutment, and the shell 20 at its openend is adapted to be forced over and snugly fit onto the enlargedportion 24. To insure proper alignment of the sections 25, 26 inassembly, they are preferably provided with mating projections andopenings, as indicated at 27 in FlG- URE 5, which are spaced along theirlengths.

The rod 22 is maintained in coaxial alignment within the sleeve 24 by areduced diameter section forming a constriction 28 .in the sleeve 24adjacent one end thereof, and by a disc 29 on the rear end of the rod.The opening in the constriction 28 provides just enough clearance for asliding iit with the rod, and the disc 29 is of such a diameter to be inslidable engagement with the interior of the sleeve 24.

The disc 29 has a pair of diametrically opposed, radial ears 38, 31. Thesleeve sections 25, 26 have respective elongated slots 33, 34 whichslidably receive the ears 30, 31, when the rod 22 is installed withinthe sleeve 24.

A coil spring 36 surrounds the rod 22 and is held in axial compressionbetween the disc 29 and the confronting radial face of the construction28. Hence, the spring 36 constantly biases the disc 29 and rod 22towards the rear of the sleeve 24.

The knurled grip 16 forms part of a hollow sleeve 38 that is supportedwithin the open end of the shell 20 by locking engagement with thesleeve 24. This is accomplished by interlocking the sleeves 24, 38, asby means of an annular recess 40 in the outer surface of the sleeve 38adjacent the knurled grip 16, and a mating internal rib 42 and anadjacent internal recess 43 in the enlarged end 24 of the sleeve 24. Theend portion 41 of the sleeve 38 forms a collar for a spring member 47,and is captured in the internal recess 43.

As will be appreciated, the rib 42 and the recess 43 in the sleeveportion 24 are formed of semi-cylindrical ribs and recesses in the ends25', 26 of the sleeve sections 25, 26. In assembly, when the sections25, 26 are placed together over the rod 22, and with the spring 36 andsleeve 38 in place as shown in FIGURE 2, the shell 20 upon being forcedover the sleeve portion 24' is brought up against the grip 16, i.e.,against a radial shoulder 45 thereon, thereby to hold the sleeves 24, 38in their interlocked positions. Thus arranged, the shell 20 is adapted,when rotating it while holding the grip 16 (and hence the sleeve 38)stationary, to rotate the sleeve 24 therewith.

As previously indicated, the sleeve 38 is adapted to receive the springmember 47. This spring member, which may be formed of a spring metalsuch as bronze, has a tubular insert 49 at one end adapted to be pressfitted into the collar 41 on the sleeve 38. The tubular insert 49 isthus both rotationally and translationally fixed with respect to thesleeve 38.

A plurality of normally divergent spring members 51 extend incantilevered fashion from the .insert 49. Each of the members 51 carriesan enlarged head 53 and an internally threaded jaw 55 adjacent itsunsupported end. When the heads 53 are brought together, the threadedportions of their jaws are brought into mating engagement with thethreads on the rod 22. When this has ccurred, and the shell 20 isrotated with respect to the knurled grip 16, the rod 22 is caused torotate with respect to the spring member 47, whereupon the rod .iscaused to move longitudinally within the sleeve 24.

The pitch of the threads on the jaws 55 and the rod 22 are such thatwhen the threads are in engagement, the rod 22 advances a distance equalto the pitch of its threads for each complete revolution of the shell20. Hence, the Vpornade is extended the same distance out of its holder.In this regard, the rod 22 is threaded along a sufficient portionof itslength to enable it to be advanced longitudinally a suicient distancefor dispensing the entire contents of a properly installed supplycartridge. Preferably, the pitch of the threads is such that onecomplete turn of the shell 2t) advances the shaft 22 just far enoughthat the amount of pomade accessible to the user is that which issuflicient for an average application.

To .insure the aforedescribed cooperation between the threads on thejaws 55 and the rod 22, my invention in cludes automatic self-indexingmeans by which to establish the necessary threaded engagement, and forascertaining when the shell 20 has been rotated exactly one completerevolution. In accordance with my invention, both of these ends aresatisfied simultaneously by a single detent mechanism of relativelysimple construction.

The detent mechanism comprises a plunger 57 seated within a longitudinalgroove 60 in the surface of the sleeve section 25, and biased to aforward position within the groove by a miniature compression spring 62.The forward end of the groove 60 intercepts and extends a short distanceinto the internal recess 43 in the sleeve 24. Hence, with the sleeve 38installed within the sleeve 24, the forward tip 64 of the plunger 57rides against the end surface `66 of the collar 41.

The end surface 66 of the collar 41 is provided with a single indexingnotch 68 adapted to receive the forward tip 64 of the plunger 57. As isapparent, the plunger 57 is carried by the sleeve 24, so that at onepoint per revolution of the shell 20 with respect to the sleeve 38, theplunger is brought into alignment with the notch 68, and is thrust intothe notch by the spring 62. This action is a positive one, and resultsin a distinct audible click, and is a movement which is also felt by theuser. When the shell 20 is turned from this position, the plunger 57 iscamrned out of the notch 68, and thereafter rides against the endsurface 66 of the sleeve 38 until the plunger is again brought intoalignment with the notch 68. The position of the notch 68 in the surface66 is selected so when the plunger enters the notch, the threads on therod 22 are in helical phase with the threads of the jaws 55.

The forward tip 64 of the plunger S7 preferably is shaped, as by beingtapered as shown in FIGURE 3, to facilitate camming the plunger out ofthe notch when the shell 20 is turned. Since the plunger 57 engages thenotch 68 only once for each revolution of the shell 20 with respect tothe knurled grip 16, and since each such revolution meters the properamount of pomade, the user is appraised by the click to stop thedispensing operation and use the pomade thus made available. From theusers standpoint, of course, this feature minimizes the likelihood ofwaste, and of the necessity of replacing the pomade cartridge with arefill sooner than would otherwise be necessary.

FIGURE 3a illustrates a plastic insert 147, of nylon or the like, whichmay be substituted for the spring metal member 47 in FIGURE 3. In thisregard, the structural elements 149-155 of the member 147 correspond tothe structural elements 49-55 of the member 47 in FIGURE 3. However,since the plastic member 147 has relatively little natural resilience ofits own, means are provided for diverging the legs 151 so as to normallyspread apart the heads 153 and jaws 155. To this end, an annular groove160 is provided in the inner surface of the heads 153, just forward ofthe jaws 155. A circular torsion spring 161 is seated within the groove116 and normally holds the heads 153 and jaws apart. However, as in thecase of the member 47, radial compression of the heads 153 sufficient toovercome the spring forces holding them apart, will bring the jaws 155together so that they engage the rod 22. j

As best observed in FIGURE 2, installation of the cartridge section 14upon the sleeve 38 provides the necessary radial compression to bringthe jaws 55 into threaded engagement with the rod 22. The cartridgesection 14 includes an outer casing 70 having internal threads 72 at itsrearward end. The threads 72 are adapted to engage threads 74 vupon theouter surface of the sleeve 38 between the-forward end of the sleeve anda forwardly facing shoulder 76 of the grip 16.

A quill cartridge 78 is supported within the casing 70 in coaxialalignment therewith, so that installation of the cartridge section 14upon the sleeve 38 -automatically aligns the longitudinal axis of thequill cartridge with that of the rod 22. The quill cartridge 78 includesa circular cylindrical sleeve 80 which is press fit within a matingcircular bore 81 at the rear of the casing 70. The rear of the sleeve 80includes a bore 82 providing a compression co1- lar for the heads 53 ofthe insert 47 when the cartridge is installed. The sleeve 80 and casing70 also provide a forward cylindrical bore 83 of proper cross sectionfor receiving a quill tube 85 which is press tit within this forwardbore. Although the cross-sectional shape of the quill tube 85 is shownas rectangular in FIGURE 4, it is to be understood that this is by wayof example only, and other quill tube cross sections, e.g., triangular,elliptical, circular, etc.,- may be used without in any way departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

A stick 87 of pomade is potted within the quill tube 85 along the majorportion of the tube length. A small piston 89 abuts the base of thepomade stick 87 within the tube85 and is supported in sliding engagementwith the interior wall surface of the tube. Hence, as the piston 89moves forwardly in the quill tube 85, the pomade stick 87 is likewisepropelled forwardly and dispensed from the tube through its open end 90.To this end, the piston 89 has a central recess 92 in its rear facewhich is adapted to engage a driving nose 94 at the forward end of therod 22, so that longitudinal advancement of the rod is therebytransmitted to the piston for propelling the stick 87.

The forward open end 90 of the quill tube 85 may be cut at any desiredangle to provide a bevel face 96 upon the leading end of the pomadestick 87 as it is dispensed,

so that the pomade may be applied in a brush-like manner. To reducesliding friction between the stick 87 and the inner wall surface of thequill tube 8S, a layer 98 of an appropriate lubricant, e.g., of thesilicone variety, may be applied to the interior of the tube prior topotting the pomade therein.

The portion of the cartridge section 14 which is replaceable by the userof the device 10, after the supply of pomade has become exhausted, maytake a variety of forms. If the cartridge casing 70 is expensivelydecorated, it would be impractical to provide a new casing for everyrefill cartridge. In such an instance, the casing 70 would be retained,and only the quill cartridge 78 would be replaced. The old quillcartridge 78 is removable from the casing 70 by driving the cartridgerearwardly to dislodge the tube 85 and sleeve 80 from the casing, sothat the cartridge may be removed through the rear of the casing. Afresh quill cartridge can then be installed within the casing 70 in thesame manner as the previous quill cartridge.

If it isdesired to further simplify cartridge replacement and reducecartridge costs, the sleeve 80 may be permanently secured within thecasing 70, and the tube 85 would then be the only portion of the quillcartridge 78 which is replaced. It'should be noted, however, that wherethe casin-gv70 Lis 'not expensively decorated, it'too may be areplaceable unit. In this latter case, the entire cartridge section. 14would be replaced each time it is desired to replenish the supply ofpomade.

`It=will be observed in FIGURES 6 and 8 that,where the outer casing isincluded as a part of each refill cartridge, the sleeve 80 and tube 85may be dispensed with entirely to provide a casing 170 into which thepomade stick 87 is directly potted. In such an arrangement, the casing170 is provided with an internal shoulder 172 of reduced diameter, tosubstitute for the sleeve 80 in compressing the heads 53 of the member47 during installation of the cartridge section upon the sleeve 38.Moreover, asin the case of the vembodiment of FIGURE 2, a lubricatinglayer 98 may or may not be included to minimize ,friction between thepomade stick 87 and the cartridge walls containing it.

f -When the cartridge section 14 is -removed from the sleeve 38, theheads 53 and jaws 55 spring apart, the jaws thus disengaging from thethreaded rod 22. Upon release of the rod, the spring 36 immediatelydrives the disc 29 and rod 22 rearwardly, to return the rod to itsoriginal starting position. Hence, when a cartridge section 14 is againinstalled upon the sleeve 38, the rod 22 is already in the properposition for dispensing a fresh supply stick 87 without having to bemanually retracted. In this regard, when installing a fresh cartridgesection 14, the shell 20 is first rotated to a position wherein theplunger 57 engages the slot 68, so that the threads upon the jaws 55will be properly phased with the threads upon the rod 22 as thecartridge is installed. Of course, for purposes of simplicity, thespring jaw arrangement may be eliminated and replaced by a fixed jawlassembly in constant threaded engagement with the rod 22. If thislatter arrangement is used, however, the rod 22 must be manuallyretracted prior to each new installation of a cosmetic supply cartridge.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate an embodiment of the invention to facilitateuse by those desiring it of a cosmetic stick 87 which is circular incross section. Obviously, it is undesirable to allow the stick 87 torotate within the casing 170. Therefore, I arrange to make the stick andits casing mating noncircular parts by providing an elongated ridge 175along the inner surface of the casing 170 the length of the stick 87.The ridge 175 thus eX- tends into the peripheral surface of the stick 87and forms a stop which prevents rotation of the stick with respect tothe casing 170. l

FIGURES 8 and 9 illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein thesupply stick 87 may be retracted inwardly of the casing 170, as well aspropelled forwardly within the casing. Several modifications arerequired t0 accomplish this objective. First, a retaining piston issubstituted for the simple propelling piston 89. Second, a set of springjaws 182 is substituted for the driving nose 94 at the forward end ofthe rod 22 in FIG- URE 2.

The retaining piston 180 includes a plurality of internal annular ridges185 which grip the potted material and enable the piston to pull as wellas push the stick 87. The rear end of the retaining piston 180 includesan inwardly projecting annular ridge 187 and a closure wall 190 spacedforwardly of the latter ridge to provide a channel-like recess 192within the piston. Thisrecess'192 is ladapted to engage a plurality ofoutwardly projecting mating lips 194 at the forward end ofthe jaws-182when the: jaws are compressed to enter the piston180 and thereafterallowed to expand into the recess 192. The set of jaws 182`is secured atits rearward end'to the forward end of the rod 22 for rotationtherewith, or

the jaws may be securedv to the rod by a swivel arrangei i ment topermit relative rotation between` the jaws and the rod.

In using the extend-retract'l arrangement of, FIGURES 8 and 9, the jaws182 are initially seated within a forward recess 196 in the springme'r'nber 47. When th casing.170 is installedupon thev sleeyef38,compressionof theheads 53 of the' member 47falso serves to compress thejaws 182 while they are seated within theirecess 196. With the jaws 182thus compressed, they readily clear the ridge 187 ofthe piston 1801andabut Vthe closure wall 180. Upon advancing the rodI 22, the jaws 182leave the recess 196 and expand to seat'the lips 194 in the pistonrecess 192. With the jaws 182 thusenga'ging the retaining piston 180,the stick 87 of potted vmaterial may -be either propelled or retractedwithin thev casing 170 by merely selectively rotating the rod 22 in onedirection or the other. s

When the supply of pomade has become exhausted, and it is desired toreplace the cartridge, the casing 170 is removed from the sleeve 38 inthe same manner previously described. The jaws 182 are disengaged fromthe piston 180 by merely applying sufficient force in oppositedirections along their `common longitudinal axis to separate them. yThejaws 182 will compress` inwardly t0 release the retaining'piston 180beforeany level efforce is reached which would tend to shear the1ips'194. In this regard, the forces required to extend and retract thepomade stick 87 within the casing 170 are considerably below the levelnecessary to cause separation of the jaws 182 from the piston 180. and,therefore, separation of these elements will not occur in normal useexcept upon removai of the cartridge.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms ofmy invention have been illustrated and described, various modificationscan be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.Accordingly, I do not intend that my invention be limited, except as bythe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A dispensing device comprising:

a substantially cylindrical casing having an open end;

a sleeve member carried at the open end of said casing and rotatablewith respect to said casing;

a substantially cylindrical cartridge section removably secured at theend of said sleeve member opposite that carried by said casing androtatable with said sleeve member;

a piston within said cartridge section;

a stick of potted material within said cartridge section adapted to beadvanced longitudinally along the axis of said section by said piston;

a threaded rod coaxially supported within said casing and said sleevemember, the leading end of said rod being adapted to releasabiy engagesaid piston;

means for preventing relative rotation of said rod with respect to saidcasing while permitting axial displacement of said rod with respect toboth said casing and said sleeve member whereby said rod can be movedinto and out of said casing;

spring means within said casing, said spring means engaging a portion ofsaid -rod for biasing said rod to a retracted position within saidcasing;

normally disabled threaded means carried within said sleeve member forreleasably engaging the threads upon said rod;

and means carried within said cartridge section for bringing aboutengagement between said threaded means and said rod upon installation ofsaid cartridge section upon said sleeve member, whereby rotation of saidrear casing with respect to said sleeve member and cartridge sectionwill cause axial movement of said rod, said piston and said stick ofpotted material.

2. A dispensing device as set forth in claim 1 including means forindicating in phase helical alignment between said threaded means andthe threads upon said rod.

3, A dispensing device for potted materials of relatively softcomposition, comprising:

:an elongated casing having an open end;

:a rotatable sleeve having one end rotatably coupled to the open end ofsaid casing;

an elongated cartridge section removably secured to the end of saidsleeve opposite that coupled to said casing;

a piston'within said cartridge section;

a stick of potted material wholly contained within said cartridgesection and adapted to be moved longitudinally along the common axis ofsaid casing and said cartridge by said piston;

a threaded rod coaxially supported within said casing and said sleeve,the leading end of said rod being adapted to engage said piston;

means for allowing axial displacement of said rod with respect to saidcasing while preventing rotation of said shaft with respect to saidcasing whereby said rod can be moved into and out of said casing; springmeans within said casing, said spring means engaging a portion of saidrod for biasing said rod to a retracted position within said casing; aplurality of internally threaded spring jaws within saidslee've andsurrounding said rod, a portion of said spring jaws are of spring metal.

5. A dispensing device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said spring jawsare of plastic material, and said jaws are normally held apart by anauxiliary spring.

6. In a dispensing device, the combination comprising:

an open-ended, substantially cylindrical casing;

a first sleeve supported within said casing and rotatable therewith,said sleeve having a pair of diametrically opposed, elongated clearanceslots along a portion of its length;

a second sleeve 4having one end coupled to said first sleeve at the openend of said casing, said second sleeve being rotable with respect tosaid casing and said rst sleeve;

a threaded rod coaxially supported within said sleeves and said casingfor movement into and out of said first sleeve;

a pair of ears projecting from said rod, each ear extending into one ofsaid slots in said first sleeve; spring means within said first sleeveand in engagement with said rod for biasing said rod for retractionwithin said rst sleeve;

an insert press iit within said second sleeve and rotatable therewith;

a plurality of normally spread apart, internally threaded spring jawsextending from said insert, said jaws surrounding said rod and a portionof said jaws projecting beyond the end of said second sleeve oppositethat coupled to said first sleeve;

a substantially cylindrical cartridge removably secured to one end ofsaid second sleeve and rotatable therewith;

a piston within said cartridge;

a stick of potted material within said cartridge and adapted to be movedlongitudinally along the axis of said cartridge by said piston, saidpiston being releasably engageable by said rod;

an internal shoulder of reduced diameter within said cartridge forcompressing said spring jaws to bring about threaded engagement betweensaid jaws and said rod;

an annular surface upon said second sleeve;

a spring-loaded plunger carried within said first sleeve and said casingand adapted to ride along said annular surface during relative rotationbetween said casing and said second sleeve; l

and a single notch in said annular surfaca'sadnotch being adapted toengage said plunger and-being so located that engagement by said plungerautomatically aligns the threads of said spring jaws with the threadsupon said rod. 5

7. In a dispensing device, the combination comprising:

a cartridge having an axial bore of uniform cross section along asubstantial portion of its length;

a retaining piston within said bore in sliding engage'- ment therewith;

a stick of potted material within said bore, a portionof said stickbeing locked to one end of said retaining piston so that longitudinalmovement of said piston in either direction along said Ibore is impartedto'said stick; t

an annular flange at the end of said piston opposite that locked to saidstick; -a closure `wall spaced Vinwardly of said flange within saidpiston, said flange and said wall defining a channel-like recess;

a casing removably and rotatably coupled to said cartridge;

a threaded rod within said casing in coaxial alignment with said casingand said cartridge;

a set of spring jaws having external lips, said jaws extending from theleading end of said rod;

and means for maintaining said jaws in a compressed state adjacent saidange upon installation of said cartridge upon said casing, wherebyinitial longitudinal advancement of said rod causes said jaws to enterand expand Within said piston and thereby seat said lips within saidrecess.

8. A combination as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means formaintaining said jaws in a compressed state includes a second set ofspring jaws initially surrounding the first set of spring jaws at theleading end of said rod, compression of said second set of jaws therebybeing imparted to said rst set of jaws upon installation of saidcartridge upon said casing.

10 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1920 Grace 132-84 11/ 1949Olvis 222--49 10/ 1956 Reitknecht 132-84 10/1961 Pitton 132-85 11/1961Pepin 132-79 FOREIGN PATENTS 11/ 1948 France.

6/ 1951 France. 6/ 1960 France. 4/ 1961 France.

Examiners.

G. E. MCNEILL, Assistant Examiner.

1. A DISPENSING DEVICE COMPRISING: A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL CASINGHAVING AN OPEN END; A SLEEVE MEMBER CARRIED AT THE OPEN END OF SAIDCASING AND ROTATABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID CASING; A SUBSTANTIALLYCYLINDRICAL CARTRIDGE SECTION REMOVABLY SECURED AT THE END OF SAIDSLEEVE MEMBER OPPOSITE THAT CARRIED BY SAID CASING AND ROTATABLE WITHSAID SLEEVE MEMBER; A PISTON WITHIN SAID CARTRIDGE SECTION; A STICK OFPOTTED MATERIAL WITHIN SAID CARTRIDGE SECTION ADAPTED TO BE ADVANCEDLONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE AXIS OF SAID SECTION BY SAID PISTON; A THREADEDROD COAXIALLY SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID CASING AND SAID SLEEVE MEMBER, THELEADING END OF SAID ROD BEING ADAPTED TO RELEASABLY ENGAGE SAID PISTON;MEANS FOR PREVENTING RELATIVE ROTATION OF SAID ROD WITH RESPECT TO SAIDCASING WHILE PERMITTING AXIAL DISPLACEMENT OF SAID ROD WITH RESPECT TOBOTH SAID CASING AND SAID SLEEVE MEMBER WHEREBY SAID ROD CAN BE MOVEDINTO AND OUT OF SAID CASING; SPRING MEANS WITHIN SAID CASING, SAIDSPRING MEANS ENGAGING A PORTION OF SAID ROD FOR BIASING SAID ROD TO ARETRACTED POSITION WITHIN SAID CASING; NORMALLY DISABLED THREADED MEANSCARRIED WITHIN SAID SLEEVE MEMBER FOR RELEASABLY ENGAGING THE THREADSUPON SAID ROD; AND MEANS CARRIED WITHIN SAID CARTRIDGE SECTION FORBRINGING ABOUT ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAID THREADED MEANS AND SAID ROD UPONINSTALLATION OF SAID CARTRIDGE SECTION UPON SAID SLEEVE MEMBER, WHEREBYROTATION OF SAID REAR CASING WITH RESPECT TO SAID SLEEVE MEMBER ANDCARTRIDGE SECTION WILL CAUSE AXIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ROD, SAID PISTON ANDSAID STICK OF POTTED MATERIAL.